Dec 26, 2018

WSU

Torres

Carolina Torres was named the first endowed chair in tree fruit postharvest systems at Washington State University, where she will lead research on stresses that harm fruit quality. Torres will start Feb. 1 and will be based at the WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee. She is a horticulturist and WSU alumna currently working at the University of Talca, Chile.

Pike Street Capital

Private equity fund manager Pike Street Capital bought US BioTek Laboratories, a Shoreline-based provider of specialty testing services for food-related allergies and intolerances. US BioTek was founded by Raymond and Margaret Suen, who remain investors in US BioTek as they move to advisory roles. Seattle-based Pike Street Capital focuses on buyouts in industrial technology in the lower-middle market.

Dec 21, 2018

KEXP

Independent Seattle public broadcaster KEXP was named the official music partner of NHL Seattle. KEXP will lead curation of music for the National Hockey League franchise that begins play in 2021 at Seattle Center Arena.

Studio216

The new year will ring in a new office for Studio216. The digital production agency will move from 34th Avenue in the Central District to Madison Centre in downtown. The address is: 920 Fifth Ave, Suite 610, Seattle, WA 98104.

Mid-Valley Hospital

Mid-Valley Hospital selected health care technology company Cerner to revamp its electronic health record system in a 10-year deal. Mid-Valley Hospital provides acute care, emergency care, surgical services and obstetrics to patients in Okanogan County.

Dec 20, 2018

City of Seattle

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan nominated Human Services Department Interim Director Jason Johnson and Seattle Office for Civil Rights Interim Director Mariko Lockhart to permanent positions, pending confirmation by the City Council. Johnson has helped expand emergency shelters and bridge housing in Seattle, and worked in housing and human services for Kent. Lockhart has worked on reforming city policies on harassment, discrimination and other misconduct, and was director of the city's Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.

Washington State Parks

Washington State Parks' online reservation system will be down from Jan. 8 through 15 to switch to a new system that will be launched Jan. 16. During that transition week, all state park campsites, day-use shelters and accommodations will be first come, first served and payable at the park by cash only. On Jan. 16, people can use the website http://www.parks.state.wa.us to reserve campsites, cabins, yurts, some vacation homes, shelters and group camps up to nine months out.

Dec 19, 2018

WSU

Gloss

Lisa Gloss will become dean of the Washington State University Graduate School next month. Gloss has been interim dean since August 2017. She joined WSU's School of Molecular Biosciences faculty in 1998 and became associate dean of the Graduate School in 2014.

Department of Commerce

Bonlender

Brian Bonlender announced he will step down on Jan. 15 after six years as director of the state Department of Commerce to spend more time with his family. Bonlender was Gov. Jay Inslee's chief of staff during Inslee's congressional days in Washington, D.C. Connie Robins, deputy director, will be interim director.